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Seven killed, 11 injured as private bus overturns in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district
According to police officials, the bus had travelled only a short distance from Bairagarh when the accident occurred.
Seven passengers were killed and 11 others injured when a private bus skidded off the road, overturned and fell onto a road below in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh at 7.15am on Saturday, police said.
The accident occurred when the bus was on its way from Bairagarh — approximately 90km from district headquarters — to Chamba near Chalunj Mor on the Bairagarh-Tissa road, a treacherous 27km mountain route in the remote Churah valley known for its narrow paths and steep drop-offs. It serves as a key stretch on the way to the high-altitude Sach Pass.
Chamba superintendent of police (SP) Vijay Saklani said on hearing the passengers’ screams, locals rushed to help and informed the police.
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Injured shifted for specialised medical care
According to police officials, the bus had travelled only a short distance from Bairagarh when the accident occurred. The exact cause of the accident is being investigated, although the incident took place amid incessant rainfall in the region.
The deceased were identified as Jagdev Sharma (50), Desraj (35), Jagdei (24) and Hardei (45), all residents of Bahla village; Tej Singh (30) of Satyas village; Neelam (34) of Devikothi village; and bus driver Rup Singh (35) of Chilli village.
The injured passengers were evacuated from the accident site and shifted to nearby health facilities for treatment. Six of those critically injured were later referred to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital in Chamba for specialised medical care, police said.
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Rescue and relief operation
A multi-agency rescue and relief operation was launched following the accident. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state police, Home Guards, fire services and the revenue department were involved in the operation.
Officials and local personnel worked to evacuate the victims from the accident site and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and conveyed her condolences to the families of the deceased. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also expressed deep sorrow over the accident. He said instructions had been issued to the district administration to ensure that all injured passengers were immediately admitted to the nearest hospitals and provided proper treatment.
The accident comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is witnessing widespread disruption due to heavy monsoon rains, landslides and flash floods. Several parts of the state have reported road blockages and damage to public infrastructure, affecting transportation and essential services.
66 disaster-related deaths since June 30
The Chamba bus accident adds to the growing toll from disasters and road accidents reported across Himachal Pradesh during the ongoing monsoon season.
According to official cumulative figures for the period from June 30 to August 8, the state has recorded 66 disaster-related deaths. Lahaul and Spiti reported the highest number of disaster-related fatalities at 14, followed by Kangra with 11. In addition, 86 people have died in separate traffic accidents during the same period.
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Monsoon-related disasters have also left two people missing and 240 injured, while 197 livestock animals have been reported dead.
The prolonged spell of adverse weather has caused extensive damage to houses, commercial structures and other property across the state. As many as 248 houses have been partially damaged, while 63 houses have been completely destroyed.
The cumulative financial losses to public and private infrastructure caused by the disasters have been estimated at approximately around ₹834 crore, said officials.
The public works department has suffered the highest losses, with damage estimated at more than ₹61,585 lakh. The jal shakti vibhag has reported losses exceeding ₹19,986 lakh.
